Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was left a little deflated followinghis team's draw with Crystal Palace, after Scott Dann headed home in the dying seconds to cancel out an early finish by Josh King.
The Cherries had dominated the first half, with their opponents booed off by the home fans at half time. However, the mounting pressure that they came under in the second half eventually told with the Palace skipper's late equaliser.
"It was a real game of two halves for us," Howe agreed."I thought we were excellent in the first half, but it was backs against the wall in the second. Then the late goal is a difficult one to swallow."
Despite Bournemouth's impressive display in the first half, they were often reliant on Polish keeper Artur Boruc to stay ahead. He was even required to pull off an outstanding stop from Yohan Cabaye's penalty.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Bournemouth FT:
Pass accuracy: 85%-80%
Shots: 24-10
Chances created: 15-7
Possession: 59%-41% pic.twitter.com/CR6B7Qp6l4
"The penalty save was really key and I think he made several other great saves in the second half," said Howe, hailing his goalkeeper's performance as 'magnificent'.
"We really did come under the cosh. We threw our bodies on the line and defended brilliantly at times, but it wasn't to be."
BBC Football Crystal Palace 1-1 Bournemouth: Eddie Howe says 'it¦ https://t.co/UGCFi7p2BY https://t.co/9wzKdZCuwd pic.twitter.com/b7NzYA8HsJ
"When you think you're so close to that first win, a valuable three points, it's a sickener. We are desperate for that first win."
Howe did concede that his team had to "sink very deep, trying to protect what we had, which wasn't our wish." This led to several Palace attempts on goal, which would ultimately prove their downfall.
What of the Cherries' movements in the transfer market, as they look to bolster their squad for the upcoming months? Howe chose to be enigmatic with his answer, saying simply: "We'll see."